NCTS5

New Computerized Transit System Phase 5 (NCTS5) 

EU Truck

A modernized customs transit process affecting all trucking movements within the EU and contracting countries.

The European Union is implementing new major customs regulatory update:

NCTS5 Compliance – Mandatory HS Code, Export Data & Commodity Value Amendments.

Effective Date: Immediate.
Affected Regions: All Import & Export Shipments to/from the EU.
Product Impact: All Cargo Shipments.

To comply with NCTS5, SAS Cargo requires customers to follow these updated documentation requirements:

Export Declaration Data for Union Goods (NCTS5 requirement):

  • 8-digit HS/CN codes must be provided at HAWB level for consol shipments and AWB level for direct shipments.
  • Make the Export Declaration available to SAS Cargo.
        

NCTS5: Transit Declarations Required on HAWB Level

  • All transit movements under NCTS5 must include declarations at the HAWB level.
  • The total commodity value must be included and amended in the FWB’s CVD field to ensure proper documentation.

Handling of T1 Goods in Air Freight

  • While T1 transit documents are issued for road, air freight can still handle T1 goods.
  • Airlines must ensure all necessary information is recorded in the FWB/FHL, allowing handling agents to issue the correct transit documents when the cargo continues via road.
  • HS codes and the declared customs value must be included in the transit declaration to comply with NCTS5 regulations.

EORI Number Requirement – All EU-bound shipments must include a valid consignee Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number.

Complete & Accurate Cargo Descriptions – Generic terms like "electronics" or "spare parts" 

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in:
❌ Delays in customs clearance
❌ Shipments being placed on hold or rejected
❌ Additional security screening requirements.
 

1.    Harmonized Commodity Code for AWB and HAWB

a.  In an FWB message, the Harmonized Commodity Code (HS Code) must be included as an /NH/ subline within the RTD block. Multiple /NH/ entries can be added, following the rule that the RTD block allows a maximum of 12 lines.

Example HS codes in FWB RTD.

RTD/1/P180/K1800/CQ/W1800/R15/T27000 
/NG/LABORATORY EQUIPMENT & REAGENTS 
/2/NH/38220090 
/3/NH/90189050 
/4/NH/84192000 
/5/NH/30029050 
/6/NH/90275000 

b.    In an FHL message, the Harmonized Commodity Code (HS) must be declared in the HTS line (Harmonized Tariff Schedule Information), which is specifically designated for transmitting Harmonized Commodity Codes. Each HTS block can contain up to nine (9) HS codes.

Example HS codes in FHL.

FHL/4 
MBI/117-12345678CPHEWR/T59K2238.1 
HBS/000000001/CPHEWR/1/K220/1/INDUSTRIAL STEEL COMPONENTS 
HTS/730799 
/720441 
/842199 
/850300 
/732690 
/761699 

2.    Commodity Value in FWB and FHL

Example CVD Field Structure in CIMP

CVD/<Currency Code>/<Prepaid or Collect>/<Declared Value for Carriage>/<Declared Value 
for Customs>/<Declared Value for Insurance>

Example FWB CVD Field:

CVD/DKK//PP/NVD/123456/XXX    ( declared Value DKK 123 456,-)

Example FHL CVD Field:

CVD/DKK/PP/NVD/123456/XXX    ( declared Value DKK 123 456,-)

CVD Field Breakdown:   

NCTS5 image snip

 *Charge indicator not used in FHL message

3.    Customs Declaration Number in FWB and FHL

Example OCI Field Structure (Cargo-IMP Standard)

OCI/<Country Code>/<Issuer>/<Type>/<Value>

Example (Export Declaration Number)

OCI/DK/EXP/M/1234556789000000

Breakdown of the OCI Field Components for the Export Declaration Number. 

(The same structure applies for both FWB and FHL)

NCTS5 image 2 snip

4. Example FWB and FHL

Example 1: FHL – HS, Value and Customs Declaration

FHL/4 
MBI/117-12345678CPHEWR/T6K572.6 
HBS/9YT66543/CPHEWR/6/K572.6/6/PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES 
HTS/300432 
CVD/DKK/PP/NVD/563000/XXX 
OCI/DK/EXP/M/1234556789000000
    
Example 2: FHL – HS, Value and Customs Declaration

FHL/4 
MBI/117-12345678CPHEWR/T59K2238.1 
HBS/207431985/CPHEWR/1/K220/1/INDUSTRIAL STEEL COMPONENTS 
HTS/730799 
/720441 
/842199 
/850300 
/732690 
/761699 
CVD/DKK/PP/NVD/123456/XXX 
OCI/DK/EXP/M/1234556789000000

Example 3: FWB - HS, Value and Customs Declaration

FWB/17 
117-12345678CPHSFO/T161K3798MC10 
FLT/SK935/04 
RTG/CPH/SFO 
SHP 
NAM/Shipper Name 
ADR/Shipper Address 
LOC/Shipper City 
/DK/Shipper Postal Code/TE/Shipper Contact 
CNE 
NAM/Consignee Name 
ADR/Consignee Address 
LOC/Consignee City 
/US/Consignee Postal Code/TE/Consignee Contact 
AGT//5678910/2024 
/Agent Name 
/Agent City 
SSR/...URGENT PERISHABLES - DO NOT DELAY... 
NFY 
NAM/Notify Party Name 
ADR/Notify Address 
LOC/Notify City 
/US 
ACC/GEN/ID SP 567890 
CVD/DKK/PP/NVD/123456/XXX 
RTD/1/P161/K3798/CQ/W3798/R16/T60768 
/NG/NORWEGIAN ATLANTIC SALMON 
/2/NH/03021410 
/3/ND//NDA 
OTH/P/ABC99 
PPD/WT60768 
/OC23/CT60791 
CER/Shipper Name 
ISU/25MAR24/CPHO/Issuer Name 
OSI/KEEP COOL 2 - 8 DEGR. CELSIUS 
REF///AGT/Agent Name/CPH 
COR/T1 
SPH/PER/PES/COL/SPX/EAW/ECC 
OCI/DK/ISS/RA/56789-01 
/DK/ISS/KC/56789-01 
/DK/SHP/T/ORG987654321 
/DK/SHP/CP/Shipper Contact Person 
/US/CNE/T/USBUS123456789 
/US/CNE/CP/Consignee Contact Person 
/US/CNE/CT/Consignee Contact Number 
/DK/EXP/M/1234556789000000 

Vague Cargo descriptions will not be accepted. A non-exhaustive list of unacceptable cargo descriptions can be found on the EU website at: guidance_acceptable_goods_description_en.pdf. This list will continue to evolve, and contains some generic examples.

5. Contacts:

If you have questions you are welcome to contact cargobooking@sas.dk - please put “NCTS5” in the subject line. 

 More information:

• European Commission – Import Control System 2 (ICS2)

• New Computerised Transit System (NCTS): The deployment of the phase 5 is on track - European Commission

Since requirements may change on short notice, we recommend staying informed through relevant national websites and official sources.